in a UBER & LYFT ACCIDENT?

As an Uber or Lyft passenger, you’re essentially always covered in the event of an accident leading to an injury. However, various scenarios can dictate which insurance policy will apply or help cover such an injury and any ensuing damages.

Let’s review how the different types of rideshare insurance policies are applied after Uber or Lyft passenger injuries:

• The Driver’s Commercial or Personal Insurance Policy: If you’re injured in an Uber or Lyft accident as a passenger, the driver’s car insurance coverage may apply in instances where said driver has a commercial insurance policy or a personal car insurance policy which includes a “special provision” providing coverage while acting as a rideshare driver. However, many rideshare drivers may not have a commercial or personal car insurance policy that covers you in the event of an injury. In fact, some personal car insurance policies actually include a “business use exception” stipulating that any damages and injuries which occur while the insured is acting as a for-profit driver are not covered. But, as it turns out, even if your Uber or Lyft driver does not have a commercial or personal insurance policy that covers your injury, you still have options under the law.
• The Rideshare Company’s Insurance Policy: Both Uber and Lyft carry third party liability insurance coverage which pays $1 million or more for personal injuries and property damage per accident. Uber and Lyft company policies will only kick in after the rideshare driver’s own insurance has been exhausted, however. This, of course, assumes that your Uber or Lyft driver carries an applicable policy (both companies require their drivers to have up-to-date auto insurance coverage). As a rideshare passenger patronizing Uber or Lyft, you’re covered under the company’s liability policy in accidents where the rideshare driver is at fault.
• Third Party Car Insurance Policy: If your Uber or Lyft driver wasn’t responsible (at fault) for the accident that caused your injury, you still have the option to seek financial compensation from the at-fault driver through a third party insurance policy claim. This is typically done through an experienced personal injury lawyer like the team of dedicated litigators available to you by contacting La Justicia.
• Company Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: In Uber or Lyft accidents where an at-fault driver (not the rideshare driver) either does not have insurance or the policy he or she carries does not provide adequate coverage for your injuries, the company’s uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage will “kick in” and provide up to $1 million per accident. However, it’s important to note that such UM/UIM coverage only applies in instances where the driver doesn’t have car insurance, doesn’t have enough insurance, or can’t be identified (hit-and-runs, for example).When insurance policies such as those listed above are unable to provide full compensation for your injuries – often in cases where severe or catastrophic injuries occur – you still have the option to file a civil claim with La Justicia’s rideshare accident lawyers seeking financial compensation against Uber or Lyft directly.